“Love has the nature of a shared possession, and it is because the limits of ownership are ambiguous that it seems to cause much unhappiness.”
- January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970
- Born in Japan
- Novelist, playwright, critic, political activist
Japanese
「愛というものは共有物の性質をもっていて所有の限界があいまいなばかりに多くの不幸を惹き起すのであるらしい」
English
“Love has the nature of a shared possession, and it is because the limits of ownership are ambiguous that it seems to cause much unhappiness.”
Explanation
In this quote, Mishima explores the paradox of love as both an individual possession and a shared experience. He suggests that the ambiguity of ownership in love—the unclear boundaries between who possesses whom—often leads to misunderstanding and conflict. Unlike material possessions, love cannot be fully owned, and this lack of clarity in who holds claim to the other can breed insecurities, jealousy, and discontent. Mishima’s portrayal of love as a shared possession emphasizes how it is fluid and dynamic, creating a constant tension between personal desires and collective emotional experiences.
Mishima often portrayed love as a complex, volatile force that, while deeply fulfilling, can also disrupt individuals and society. His works frequently examine the destructive potential of love, especially when the roles and expectations of love are uncertain. This idea aligns with his broader themes of possessiveness and control in relationships, where love’s intangible and ambiguous nature makes it difficult to define or secure. Love, when experienced as a shared entity, can quickly become a source of anxiety and disillusionment, especially when one person’s perceived ownership of love clashes with another’s.
In modern relationships, the quote resonates with the challenges of defining emotional boundaries in the face of evolving social norms and expectations. As romantic partnerships become more complex and fluid, the lines of ownership in relationships—who is “entitled” to love and how it should be expressed—remain blurred. This can lead to emotional confusion or unhappiness, as people grapple with the pressures of commitment, possession, and the fear of losing love. Mishima’s exploration of love’s ambiguity remains relevant in today’s highly individualistic yet connected world, where the emotional stakes in relationships are often higher, and the nature of possession is increasingly difficult to navigate.
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